Unicorn race! How long it took NYC's tech unicorns to reach their mythical status

by Anthony Sodd
March 30, 2016

How quickly can you build a unicorn? It's probably not a game many entrepreneurs should play. That said, New York's tech companies have a habit of growing at a fast pace. Here's how long it took some of the city's unicorns to reach their mythical milestone.

 

 

19 years

Vice was founded in 1994 and became a unicorn in 2013. 

 

 

 9 years and 10 months

Etsy was founded in 2005 and became a unicorn in 2015. 

 

 

9 years

BuzzFeed was founded in 2006 and became a unicorn in 2015.

 

 

8 years and 5 months

ZocDoc was founded in April of 2007 and became a unicorn in August of 2015.

 

 

6 years

FanDuel was founded in 2009 and became a unicorn in 2015.

 

 

5 years

Warby Parker was founded in 2010 and became a unicorn in 2015.

 

 

Missing content item.

4 years

Gilt Group was founded in 2007 and became a unicorn in 2011.

 

 

3 years

Blue Apron was founded in 2012 and became a unicorn in 2015.

 

 

1 year and 10 months

Oscar Health was founded in July of 2013 and became a unicorn in April of 2015.

 

 

1 year and 6 months

WeWork was founded in August of 2012 and became a unicorn in February of 2014.

 

 

4 months

Jet.com was founded (in Hoboken) in July of 2015 and became a unicorn in November of 2015.

 

Have a news tip for us or know of a company that deserves coverage? Let us know or tweet us @builtinnewyork

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